New OSHA ruling

In this new OSHA law, the employer is required to pay for ALL PPE, except Boots and prescription safety glasses.

Heres an excerpt........do a google search for the whole ruling.



<font color="red"> OSHA 1910.132(d)(1)
The employer shall assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). If such hazards are present, or likely to be present, the employer shall:

OSHA 1910.132(d)(1)(i)
Select, and have each affected employee use, the types of PPE that will protect the affected employee from the hazards identified in the hazard assessment;

"Employees exposed to safety and health hazards may need to wear personal protective equipment to be protected from injury, illness, and death caused by exposure to those hazards," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA, Edwin G. Foulke Jr. "This final rule will clarify who is responsible for paying for PPE, which OSHA anticipates will lead to greater compliance and potential avoidance of thousands of workplace injuries each year."

The final rule contains a few exceptions for ordinary safety-toed footwear, ordinary prescription safety eyewear, and logging boots. The final rule also clarifies OSHA's requirements regarding payment for employee-owned PPE and replacement PPE. While these clarifications have added several paragraphs to the regulatory text, the final rule provides employees no less protection than they would have received under the 1999 proposed standard.

The rule also provides an enforcement deadline of 6 months from the date of publication in the Federal Register to allow employers time to change their existing PPE payment policies to accommodate the final rule. The final ruling becomes effective February 13, 2008. The final rule must be implemented by May 15, 2008.
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I haven't checked that link yet but I have NEVER asked someone working for me to supply their own PPE. I even buy boots - you might not get the best boots to start but if you don't have a pair I buy them. I have bought many a pair of the Husky winter boots also. I learned many a year ago the local welding supply was the place to buy safety glasses because they "looked cool" and the guys would wear them.
 
I am amazed that there are people out there that actually work for somebody that pays for the PPE. I have never in 22 years worked for a guy that bought anything you needed except a lowering line, and even then it was like pulling teeth.
 
Good. I hope OSHA pays a visit to my town and feeds some fat fines to the "shady" tree services around here.
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I'm in the job market now in Northeast NJ and so far most companies are willing to buy or at least fund PPE and gear purchasing. While I don't mind buying my own gear, it's the attitude that is reflected in other ways by an employer that is unwilling to uphold this rule.
 
I agree with Boston... Any good reputable tree service should provide their guys with all the basics. It also makes a really nice treat for the guys if you set some goals where they can upgrade their PPE to petzl helmets, maybe some nice boots, fancy chaps, etc.
 
I'm meeting with a couple of guys over the next few days. I let you know if they do or not.

Got to sell your boss on the benefits, namely not getting some nasty fines if or more likely when someone gets hurt.
 
So if you don't carry workers compensation insurance, then the "employer" is legally the client you are working for &amp; not the tree company owner.
Therefore, if the company you work for doesn't have workers comp., then none of this applies anyway, because it is the clients responsibility as your employer that day to provide your PPE, and not your company's problem at all!

just ask Mrs. Jones the homeowner for a pair of chaps &amp; some ear plugs!
OSHA Said!!!!
 
I married a Jersey girl and it made more sense for me to move then her.

As for the above comment, that doesn't work. You are a sub-contractor with a contractual relationship with the tree company not the tree owner. As a contractor then you are responsible for providing the insurance and meeting the OSHA rules. That is if the relationship between you and the tree co. stands up to the rules that define an independent contractor. If that is not clear and you appear as a employee then the tree co. would be found responsible. Very very grey area if you only work for one primary client.
 

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